Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1887-01-27
FAUST AND MEPHISTOPH-
ELES.
by w. II. s. ATKINSON.

A large and fashionable crowd thronged
Steinway Hall, New York. Usually New
York audience, selected from the upper
ten thousand, F" is not very demonstrative-
especially over new aspirant for its appre-
citation and favors. But on the occasion OF
the debut of Miss Alta Alwyn as q public
singer, New York society forgot itself. The
new song-bird became favorite before
she had finished her first number diff
cult "show-piece" in Italan-and when,
for an encore, she gave, with pathos and
richness of tone, the tender and familiar
"Swanee River" the great audience rose
en- mdsse and cheered to the echo, while
costly bouquets fell in profusion at the
feet of the Young artist. And Alta Alwyn
was happy, supremely happy. Such a
night, such a success as this, lad been her
one cherished dream during four long
years Of incessant toll and study.
Alta Alwyn was not in love-had never
been in love, and was total stranger TO
Dan Cupid and his tricks. The ruling
passion of her young life had been ambi-
tion: desire 10 excel in her chosen pro-
fession.
Now that the first step on the road to
fame had been taken, now that she found,
at the very outset all the wealth and fash
ion of wealth and fashions metropolis at
her feet, she was happy.
Two other persons in that brilliant as
sembly we're also elated at Alta Alwyns 8
success. One of these was her tutor and
manager, Signor Rivera; the other was Mr..
Richard Cameron, a wealthy young New
York banker. The cause for Signor Ri
vera's satisfaction is obvious; Dick
Cameron's unusually bright eye and flushed
cheek will require some explanation.
On the morning after the concert, Miss
Alwyn sat alone in her morning room. The
pretty apartment was nIIeu WIN Ine rlcn
perfume from thousand roses-the offer
ings of the previous evening--while side
table was literally stacked with notes con-
tanning congratulations and invitations
from great people, anxious to cultivate the
acquaintance of this rising star.
Alta Alwyn was q very beautiful woman;
indeed, one word alone is fitting to prop
erly describe her charming appearance.
She was magnificent.
With youth, beauty, talent, and assured
success. life just then seemed oil sunshine
to her, and the reverie in which she in
dulged was q very pleasant one. In the
midst of 1t a servant announced "Mr. Cam
eron." A slight shadow darkened the fair
artists brow for a moment. Only for q
moment, however, for neither annoyance
nor excessive pleasure were discernible In
she bade her caller good morning"
81 suppose" said Mr.. Cameron, who
was q peculiarly handsome man, perhaps
thirty years of age, IL suppose congratu-
lations are in order, Alta-only congrat-
ulations would be idle, common place
words coming from me. You know how
more than pleased 1 am at your success,
viewed merely as a success; and then there
is something else.
Miss Alwyn toyed with a rose, but an
swered nothing.
"Alta," continued Dick Cameron, "three
yearsago loved you-love you now. Three
years ago I wished TO make you my wife.
out you refused and bade me wait until the
wish of your life, the desire to shine as a
successful singer, should become an ac-
| complshed fact. Your wish is now full
| filed; your success is greater than you
could ever have dreamed il would be- and
now / am come to claim your promise.
Will you keep it, Alta?"
Miss Alwyn's eyes dropped, and she con-
tinued to pluck the petals from the lovely
rose in her hand. Suddenly she raised
her eyes and addressed her companion.
"Dick, will not pretend that l do not un-
derstand you; / do. Butt cannot keep
my promise. I am not n woman, Dick;
am an artist. Where my heart should be
il nothing but ambition. l do not love
you, but do love music; l do love the APP
plause of listening crowds, and do love
fame. could never make you happy
Dick, and as your wife / am certain life
for me would be one long regret. You
have been very good to me, Dick, always,
and / appreciate. more than l seem to-
your goodness. But please go away and
forget me, for l cannot fulfill my o!d
promise"